Wood Kitchen Accessories- Buying & Caring Guide

On the 5th of February 2011, the significance of kitchen utensils in a household cannot be overstated, and among the myriad options available, wood kitchen accessories stand out with a unique charm and practicality. The enduring popularity of wooden utensils is not merely a matter of tradition; it's a testament to their timeless appeal and functional advantages that have withstood the test of time. Wooden utensils have carved a special niche in kitchens worldwide, and there are several compelling reasons behind their enduring popularity. One of the key factors is the inherent warmth and aesthetic appeal that wood brings to the kitchen. Unlike cold, impersonal metal or plastic, wooden utensils exude a sense of natural beauty and craftsmanship that adds a touch of elegance to any culinary space. Beyond their visual allure, wooden kitchen accessories boast practical advantages that contribute to their enviable position in the culinary world. Wood is inherently gentle on cookware surfaces, making it an ideal choice for non-stick pans and other delicate materials. This gentleness ensures that your kitchen tools not only endure but also extend the lifespan of your cookware, showcasing the durability of well-crafted wooden utensils. Wooden utensils are also lauded for their versatility in the kitchen. From stirring and flipping to serving and tossing, these tools seamlessly transition between various culinary tasks. The gentle nature of wood prevents scratching, which is particularly crucial for maintaining the integrity of delicate surfaces in modern cookware. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of many wooden kitchen accessories contributes to the overall cooking experience.

Benefits of Wood Kitchen Accessories

Wooden kitchen utensils have been there since ages- wood is perhaps the only material that would have been used for making kitchen accessories along with stone utensils!

Wood kitchen accessories are durable and this is the reason why excavators still find one or the other wooden bowls and utensils on archaeological sites. Just you have to care a little for wood kitchen accessories to give them a long life.

As wood is an easily available raw material, wooden kitchen accessories can be found in all budget ranges- from cheap kitchen tools like wooden spoons to highly decorative kitchen accessories like wooden trays.

Wooden kitchen accessories have a special aesthetic value attached to them, especially as country kitchen accessories. They are even used for home decoration like the carved or painted decorative wooden trays that are sometimes used as wall decorative accessories.

Wooden kitchen tools also help in preventing damage to many other kitchen utensils, especially the non stick cookware. This is the reason why you get wooden spatula and wooden serving spoon too when you buy non stick pans!

Depending upon the type of wood used, wooden kitchen accessories are also lightweight so that one can use them conveniently. For example, wooden cutting boards are easy to carry to wherever you want to cut your vegetables in your home.

As wood is heat resistant and a bad conductor of heat, it is the most preferred material for making wood kitchen accessories like oven rack pullers where there is always a risk of getting burnt by heat.

How to Buy Wood Kitchen Accessories

There are two options for buying wood kitchen accessories- one, you buy whole kitchen utensils set made of wood and two, you buy only cooking utensils or wooden serving accessories!

If you chose to buy wooden kitchen utensils set for cooking as well as serving purpose, make a list of all types of kitchen tools and utensils that you might require- not only for your present needs but also for your future requirements. Consider the fact that some of your relatives etc. may also use your kitchen for cooking when they visit you and they might need to use some of the kitchen tools that you don't use! Non matching kitchen accessories will definitely neither impress your guests nor you.

Pay attention to the wood quality too. Kitchen utensils made of quality wood can only last longer and pay value for your money as well as save you from embarrassing situations. Just imagine buying cheap wooden scoops which gets cracked in front of your guests while serving ice cream to them! Olive wood kitchen accessories are good as also those made of maple, walnut, cherry or even bamboo wood.

Before buying wood kitchen accessories, just analyze a little whether they go with your home decor theme, particularly your kitchen decor? Wooden kitchen utensils generally suit rustic decor type such as the French kitchen style or English cottage decor style. However, if you believe in experimenting and could find the right type of accessories, wooden utensils can easily be incorporated into modern kitchens too!

Caring Wood Kitchen Accessories

All good things have to be cared for and wood kitchen accessories are no exception. If you care for your wooden kitchen tools and utensils, they prove to be a wise investment in the long run.

Never wash wooden kitchen utensils in dishwasher- hand wash them. Use mild dish detergent to wash the wood accessories in warm, soapy water. Don't just put away your wooden forks or spoons after washing. Use fine kitchen towels to dry them and then let them air dry. Never soak wood kitchen utensils in water.

After using for some time, wood kitchen tools and utensils develop a fuzzy appearance due to wood grain raise. Grain of the wood slightly rises due to constant contact with moisture and create fuzz. When you see this, lightly rub a 400 or 600 grit sandpaper across your wooden salad hands or other kitchen accessories. Wash and dry and you will see no more fuzzy appearance. If you do not have sand paper, you can use brown paper bag for the task whose fibers act more or less like a sandpaper.